Rip Van Winkle Retired

Breeders' Cup hopeful Rip Van Winkle has been retired after suffering slight setback

Frankel Pulls Away from European Competition

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Frankel appears to be as good a Classic prospect as Europe has seen in years.

Breeders' Cup Chat: A Gold Mine in the Mile?

Goldikova will be the heavy favorite, but she will face a strong field.

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Countdown to the Cup: Where to Go With Rip

Coolmore must decide whether to go for the BC Classic or Mile with Rip Van Winkle.

Poet's Voice has Final Say in QEII Stakes

Under a perfectly timed ride by Frankie Dettori, Poet's Voice rallied furiously to deny Rip Van Winkle by a nose in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by Sony (Eng-I) at Ascot Sept. 25.

Countdown to the Cup: Can We Beat the Euros?

Each year, it seems the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) paints the same bleak picture for the American grass horses.

Cape Blanco Springs Irish Champion Upset

Cape Blanco took the lead from the start and never looked back, pulling away in the stretch to capture the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) by 5 1/2 lengths at Leopardstown Sept. 4.

'Rip' Shines in Juddmonte International

Benefitting from a strong ride by Johnny Murtagh, Rip Van Winkle got up in the final strides to deny Twice Over victory in a thrilling renewal of the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) at York Aug. 17.

Canford Cliffs Tops 'Rip' in Sussex Stakes

Canford Cliffs, under a perfectly timed ride from Richard Hughes, reeled in Rip Van Winkle in the final strides to capture the Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) at Glorious Goodwood July 28.

Brilliant Goldikova Takes Queen Anne Stakes

Goldikova started the 2010 Royal Ascot meet off with a performance befitting a queen, tenaciously holding off a charging Paco Boy to capture the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) by a neck June 15.

Classic Report: Oh, Henry

If there is one main aspect of the Breeders' Cup that is most fascinating it is the merging of American and British cultures, whether it be terminology, style of racing, or in the way horsemen deal with the media and vice versa.

O'Brien on Rip Van Winkle: Everything is Fine

Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said that Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Rip Van Winkle is fine and did not show any indications of his recurring foot problems when he went to the track at Santa Anita early Nov. 4.

Zenyatta is 5-2 Favorite in the Classic

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss' Zenyatta, undefeated in 13 career starts, was installed as the 5-2 favorite when she takes on males for the first time in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). She is attempting to be the first female to the win the World Championship's marquee event.

Rip Van Winkle Fighting Another Foot Injury

Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien took a chance by entering only Rip Van Winkle in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), despite the colt's history of foot problems, and now they could wind up without a horse in the race if Rip's most recent setback proves serious enough to force his withdrawal.

Rip Could Have Eclipsed 'Stars'

There is no way of telling what might have been in any given race had circumstances been different. And it would be seem audacious to say that Rip Van Winkle was the best horse in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I), won by Sea the Stars, but a close look at the race reveals several reasons why that statement might have validity.

Classic Offers Tough Handicapping Challenge

A hodgepodge of horses from all walks of life will converge on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride Nov. 7, most of whom would not be a surprise should they win.

Zenyatta Would Be Favored in BC Classic

If Zenyatta's connections opt to run her in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), she will be the favorite on the official Breeders' Cup morning line.

Here They Come: BC Draws 166 Pre-Entries

A total of 166 horses were pre-entered Oct. 26 for the 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be run Nov. 6 and 7 at Santa Anita.

Countdown to the Cup: Can it Happen Twice?

On April 17, 2008, American racing fans were immersed in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and no one was even giving the Breeders' Cup a second thought. But across the Atlantic, there was a scene being played out that would have a far greater effect on the Breeders' Cup than anyone could have imagined.

Rip Van Winkle Determined Winner of QEII

Rip Van Winkle held off a stubborn Zacinto in the final furlong to claim his second group I victory of the season, taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) by a determined 1 1/4-lengths at Ascot Sept. 26.

Rip Van Winkle Storms Home in Sussex Stakes

Rip Van Winkle finally lived up to the hype and broke through for his first group I victory when he powered home for a 2 1/2-length win over Paco Boy in the BGC Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) at Goodwood July 29.

Sea The Stars Shines in Coral-Eclipse

Sea The Stars confirmed his class with another stellar performance in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I) at Sandown July 4.

Sea The Stars Favored in Investec Derby

A field of 13 is due to go to post in Saturday's £1.25 million Investec Derby (Eng-I) at Epsom Downs following the final declaration stage June 4.

Sea The Stars Shines in Two Thousand Guineas

Sea The Stars drew away from favorite Delegator in the final sprint to win the English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket on May 2.

Delegator, Rip Van Winkle Head 'Guineas Field

Seventeen horses have reached the final declaration stage for the 2009 renewal of the stanjames.com Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), the opening Classic of the season run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket on May 2.